Houghton Named as New U.K. Chief of the Defence Staff

Mar. 19, 2013 - 09:48AM
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Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton will succeed Gen. Sir David Richards as the U.K.'s next chief of the Defence Staff in July, according to a U.K. Defence Ministry statement. (Crown Copyright)

LONDON — Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton will succeed Gen. Sir David Richards as the U.K.’s next chief of the Defence Staff in July, according to a U.K. Defence Ministry statement.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of the successor to the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Sir David Richards,” Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for defense, said in a statement.

“Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton will assume this role in July 2013. I look forward to working with Sir Nicholas as we continue radical reforms to the Ministry of Defence and deliver Future Force 2020.

“I pay tribute to the leadership Sir David has shown as CDS during a period of significant change in the military environment while securing operational successes across the globe, including in Afghanistan and Libya.”